1978 MG B Reviews

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1978 MG B 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture1978
First year of ownership1997
Most recent year of ownership2002
Engine and transmission 1.8 Manual
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 7 / 10
Comfort marks 7 / 10
Dealer Service marks 7 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 8 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
7.2 / 10
Distance when acquired77000 miles
Most recent distance86000 miles
Previous carTriumph Spitfire

Summary:

A cheap fun classic

Faults:

Front Suspension king pins needed replacing.

Fuel tanked rusted.

Radiator leaked and needed replacing.

Rear suspension needed replacing.

Fuel pump packed up.

Alternator needed replacing.

General Comments:

Although there have been a number of problems I have been pleasantly surprised by the reliabilty of this vehicle. It has only left me stranded at the side of the road once.

Although it is now where near a modern sports car in terms of performance the car can easily keep up with the traffic. on the motorway it will cruise comfortably at 70 to 80 MPH. Its great fun on the back roads with the hood down. 50 MPH will feel fast with your bum a few inches of the ground and the wind in your hair.

There are lots of specialists to look after this car. Most parts can easily be obtained and are cheap.

Unless you want to do a restoration, I would advise you to buy the best car you can possibly afford. Any money that you may save on the purchase price will quickly be offset in repair costs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th September, 2002

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1978 MG B 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture1978
First year of ownership2000
Most recent year of ownership2002
Engine and transmission 1.8 Don't Know
Performance marks 2 / 10
Reliability marks 1 / 10
Comfort marks 3 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 4 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
2.5 / 10
Distance when acquired92500 miles
Most recent distance10500 miles
Previous carTriumph Stag

Summary:

Boring

Faults:

This car has been a very unreliable. The engine, which has all the charm of a J4 van's engine repeatedly, pinked and spluttered.

Couldnt get the gearbox into first and the diff whined. Electric's! Don't talk to me about Lucas.

When I wasn't starting it by rolling down a hill I was replacing fuses.

General Comments:

Real dissapointment. Why did I part with bluey my trusty Triumph Stag???

The engine in the MGB has about as much go as a man riding a bike with no legs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th January, 2002

Comment on this review

14th Aug 2003, 09:01

From the description of the problems the car had this MGB was obviously a poor example not only of the marque but of any car. All of these things, however, should have been obvious to the reviewer at the time of purchase. Of course it lacked performance - this was obviously a sick car.

A bit more detail of what was done to rectify (or attempt to rectify) the problems would let people know if the car (make/model/year) itself was poor or just this car, and whether or not repairs to all the problems was feasible, expensive or not, and/or effective.

A poor "review" of one of the last years of this classic marque, especially when the question of which transmission is answered as "don't know"???

And to compare it (performance wise, especially) to the reviewer's previous Triumph Stag is a little silly.

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1978 MG B 1.8 from North America

Year of manufacture1978
First year of ownership1995
Most recent year of ownership2000
Engine and transmission 1.8 Manual
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 4 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
6.0 / 10
Distance when acquired0 miles
Most recent distance0 miles

Faults:

Master cylinder leak, rear cylinder leaks, radiator problems, cooling fan, alternator, water pump.

General Comments:

This was my first car, I still have it and enjoy working on it, which is good cause I have to often. Lately I have had very few problems. Eventually I'd like to restore it, but it is great to drive now. Fun car, but not one to rely on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th July, 2000

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Average review marks: 5.2 / 10, based on 3 reviews